Moving It. When and How.

First, I am not a doctor.  I am not recommending any form of exercise.  Before you start an exercise program please consult your doctor.  On that note...

I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis about 7-10 years ago.  I don't remember the exact date.  After the diagnosis and after starting Methotrexate, I was able to continue an exercise.  I was always warned about doing low impact exercises and lifting moderate weights...okay light weights. 

I made the decision to continue running because I loved doing triathlons.  My doctor would chastise me at every visit because I continued to run.  He wanted me to exercise but he wanted me to lift light weights and always mentioned doing crunches.

When I started lifting heavy, I continued to feel better to the point where I discontinued my medication.  I have been Methotrexate-free for 3 years.  So far so good.  I am not saying the two are related or that lifting heavy objects is good for everyone with RA or with any autoimmune disease.  What I am saying is that you need to keep moving.  You need to keep your joints active.  I would also say under the supervision of an MD and a knowledgeable trainer, people should test themselves a little.  Everyday health provided some exercise trends that they feel are good for people with RA.  I would also say they could be good for anyone with an autoimmune disease. 

http://www.everydayhealth.com/pictures/hot-exercise-trends-and-rheumatoid-arthritis/?xid=nl_EverydayHealthLivingWithRheumatoidArthritis_20140810#01

When I was first diagnosed with RA, I was traumatized.  Not necessarily about the condition but
what effect it would have on my running and general exercise routine.  I searched the internet for articles about those who had succeeded in maintaining and actually excelled as an athlete leaving me discouraged.  There were not many success stories out there.  That doesn't mean they didn't exist.  It meant that no one was talking. 

Here is the story of Britt Johnson, someone diagnosed with RA who is a runner or as described in the article...an athlete!

http://www.everydayhealth.com/news/the-hurt-blogger-how-i-became-a-runner-with-ra/?xid=nl_EverydayHealthLivingWithRheumatoidArthritis_20140810



You have to try, because you don’t know what’s possible.”—Britt Johnson  TWEET

HOT FUN IN THE SUMMER TIME

Well not really.  The title is deceiving.  I much prefer this

to this

Tonight, as I was eating another dinner of tomatoes from the garden I realized how much I love picking my dinner from the garden.  Not only is it fresh and delicious but a garden makes healthy eating much easier when you can go outside and pick tomatoes

peppers

eggplant

and some beautiful broccoli shown with the pickings of the morning

So although I am looking forward to snow and winter and football, I will miss fresh produce. 

And not everyone has space or the desire to garden.  A great alternative is visiting a Farmer's Market or joining a CSA.  I want local farming to grow and thrive...local just tastes better and I know
 where my food originated.  Check out the link for a great article on Farmer's Markets and CSAs.

http://pendexter.blogspot.com/2014/08/hot-fun-in-smmer-time.html

Great article!

FUNNY STORY

In the middle of the night I received the results of the first stage of DNA testing...I should probably tell me father the results before sharing here on the blog.

What a coincidence!  Write a blog, get results.  Apparently, there is still more testing to be done!

DNA TESTING

My travel to the Isle of Jersey was a magical time. The tour was organized by the Poindexter Descendants Association. What? Wait? Patti Pendexter...you are not a Poindexter. Well, maybe I am indirectly or even directly.

 The Poindexters have traced their lineage back to the Jersey. They've traced their descendant who immigrated from Jersey to Virginia. The family name on Jersey is Poingdestre. The thought is that the Poindexters immigrated to Virgina and the Pendexters to the New Hampshire/Maine area. But how will I know definitely. Well, the Poindexter Descendants association has set up family DNA testing...and my family is participating. Actually, it is my father who supplied his DNA for testing. This testing will hopefully determine the family connection to Jersey.

 What was most interesting from my visit is that Poingdestre descendants, link to a family or not, accepted you as one of their own. They wanted to share their family tree and history with you.

  Either way, as you know, I fell in love with Jersey. It is an island filled with activity and history and people who love their home.

The beauty of nature...

The history....

 

The glass church

 

 

One of the original family homes...

As you get older, maybe over 50, you take pleasure in knowing your beginnings.  When the DNA results are in, I will share more details.  I may even share the family tree. 

QUESTION????  HAVE YOU EXPLORED YOUR FAMILY HISTORY?  HOW ABOUT SHARING SOME DETAILS.